Practical Steps to be Empowered
When it feels like there is so much out of our control, I have believed we can still be empowered by our choices and decisions.
In one of her podcasts, Peggy Hall made some excellent suggestions for individual, simple choices and actions we each can make--even if we don't have power in the big scheme of things. I typed up notes below:
1. Stay connected with supportive, like-minded people.
In-person
On line:
Monthly webinars, sharing email addresses
Social media groups
2. Get together with others & develop relationships in-person; take relationships off-line as much as possible.
meet-and-greets
board meetings--school boards & boards of supervisors
rallies & events
special movie screenings
picnics
church
community groups in your own neighborhood
3. Be willing to listen to others & ask them questions--to get them to think about and articulate their statements.
Ask them what they mean by phrases & concepts they say.
Ask them how they (and Americans) have benefited from a change or movement which they are promoting.
"How did you come to that conclusion?"
"Would you like my point-of-view?"
4. Don't support technocracy / absence of people.
Do banking in-person. (Don't use ATM machines or drive-thru.)
Use cash for every-day transactions.
Don't support businesses that don't take cash.
Don't use self-checkout.
Don't use fingerprint or eye scan on cell phones, etc.
Don't use retina scan at airports, etc.
Don't use APPS & social media on phone.
Get rid of "smart" phone.
Use paper notebook & pen instead of phone notes.
5. Buy physical books.
Support authors.
So material can't be changed and manipulated.
6. Don't use A.I./Chat GPD.
[Don’t help to program A.I.]
Don't create A.I. pictures & voice overs.
Don't ask Chat GPT.
Use your own brain.
7. Live your life.
We have limited amount of time & life energy. Use it to create and add meaning & experiences to your life.
Be informed, not obsessed: Limit exposure to and have healthy boundaries around headlines, posts, "news," orchestrated events, substacks and what we already know is going on.
Be involved & engaged in life and your family & friends. (Don't complain all the time with them.)
Take care of your life & the things that bring you joy: exercise, people, food, hobbies, travel, pets
Don't neglect work, household tasks, bills, every-day things.
8. Take care of your health.
Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health all make up who you are.
9. Stay informed to feel better & empowered for not having the wool pulled over your eyes.
Don't let it keep you up at night.
Share the information.
10. Create your own opportunities.
Example: If there are Unconstitutional demands for customers at farmers' markets, create farmers' market on personal property.
"There's always another way."
"Make it better than normal."
"Outwit the nitwits with your thinking."
Brainstorm with like-minded individuals.
I follow most of these actions which Peggy Hall suggested, I continue to work on the rest, and more. I’m grateful for Peggy Hall and her work to support personal empowerment and responsibility.
Do you need help in building confidence with integrity? Please contact me. I’d love to help you.